So, I have been given what my normal working hours are going to be when I get to BC and its 07:30 to 16:30 with an hours lunch break.

I was wondering would it be normal to have such an early start?

I'm hoping that this is earlier than normal and will help me with the commute in the mornings!

Our office hours are 8.30 - 16.30 with an hour for lunch, although with flexible working a lot start earlier.

Nice, thats only a 35 hour working week!

Does this mean that the rush hour starts a little later than I would see? I would be coming from the Fraser valley direction to Coquitlam. Due to the early start I'm kinda hoping that I miss the worst of the traffic! (wishful thinking maybe?)

My office is flex time. I get in around 7, leave around 3-4 - mostly to avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic.

Others choose to come in at 9:30 and leave at 5:30 for the same reason.

A 7.30 am start is quite common. Many start earlier. Most businesses I know will have 1/2 hour lunch and leave 1/2 hour earlier. Generally, life happens earlier than in the UK: start work earlier, leave work earlier, eat dinner earlier, go to bed earlier.

For us, it means being able to do more in the evening. Drive out to Bragg Creek for a hike, get out on the Bow to chuck some flies around at the trout etc.

Better work/life balance than the UK 9-5 in my less-than humble opinion!

I work for a BC crown corp. hours are flex here with either an 7.30, 8.30 or 9.30 start and we do a 9 day fortnight, meaning we get every other Friday off!

Normal is more industry specific than provincial. There are provincial employment standards, re conditions of work
http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/esaguide/

Lots of people commuting from 0630 to 0930 and 1430 to 1830, particularity on the main routes.

Thanks for all the info guys and gals, I was kinda hoping that the 07:30 start would see less traffic and so reduce the commute time, but it seems that it will still be kinda heavy anyway.

FYI I will be travelling from maple ridge/mission direction to Coquitlam. At least I will be if the LMO or PNP ever come through lol